Christmas Chocolate Covered Pretzels

posted by Katya on Dec 9, 2022 1 comment »

Salty sweet chocolate covered pretzels are easy to make and make great Christmas gifts!

These Christmas chocolate covered pretzels are the best treats around the holidays for a sweet and salty snack for everyone to enjoy. Chocolate-dipped pretzels are easy to make too — simply dip in chocolate and decorate with your favorite holiday toppings.

They also make great gifts or stocking stuffers. Prepare all your favorite treats for a tasty Christmas celebration with easy recipes like this one and these Christmas Cake Pops. This treat is versatile to make for any occasion too!

Tip: Do you want to gift these gourmet chocolate-covered pretzels for Christmas? Find decorative food-safe baggies to bundle a few in and tie closed with ribbon.

Reasons to Love Christmas Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

These are the best chocolate-covered pretzels for gifting, gatherings, and snacking throughout the Christmas season.

Great for Christmas gifts – Chocolate-covered pretzel rods are a delicious combination of sweet and salty and are so fun to make for that perfect little Christmas gifts. They make easy gifts for teachers and neighbors. Plus they are fun, inexpensive, and very kid-approved.
They’re easy to make – With just two main ingredients and some decorative additions, you’ll love how easy it is to make them.
A tasty tradition – Friends and family will love having these each year, and making them with your kids can be fun.
Adapt to any occasion – You can switch up the toppings to match any occasion. Try changing up the toppings for Easter, Valentine’s Day, summer, or fall.

Ingredients

Technically, you only need two ingredients to make dipped pretzel rods for Christmas: chocolate and pretzels. Let your holiday spirit shine through with additional toppings that match the theme.

Old-fashioned large pretzel rods – These are the perfect size for individual pretzel sticks coated in chocolate. I found them in the same aisle as the pretzels and chips.
Semi-sweet, dark, or white chocolate – Melting wafters are super easy to use but you could also use regular chocolate chips.

Topping Ideas

Finely chopped nuts – I like using chopped macadamia nuts, but you could also use chopped walnuts, pecans, or peanuts.
Decorative sprinkles – Choose different colors and types like Christmas tree sprinkles, star-shaped, etc.
Crushed candy canes – Keep it classic with the red and white strips or combine other colors with nuts and chocolate drizzle for a fun effect.
Chocolate candy, finely chopped – Try mini Reese’s PB cups, M&M’s, and even peppermint chocolates would be great!
Shredded coconut – Sweetened coconut would be a tasty addition and give the pretzels a frosty look, or you could toast them before adding.

How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Prepare a small workstation to move through dipping and decorating the pretzel rods quickly. If you’re making these with kids, give them each their cup of chocolate and piece of parchment paper so they can decorate however they like.

Melt the chocolate. Depending on your chocolate, you can melt it over a double boiler or microwave. Using the stovetop will allow you to melt the chocolate without overheating it. Using the microwave is a good option, too. Just be sure to stir and check it every 20 seconds until smooth and completely melted.

Choose a container for dipping. A tall narrow glass jar or a 2-cup glass measuring cup works perfectly for dipping pretzels into the chocolate. If you don’t have something like this, you could pour the chocolate onto a long plate and roll the pretzel in it until covered.

Dip pretzels in chocolate and decorate. Quickly dip pretzels in chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off and transfer to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle with toppings and let stand at room temperature until completely set. You can gently roll the freshly dipped chocolate pretzel in toppings for more coverage.

Tips for Making Christmas Pretzels Recipe

Celebrate Christmas with tasty treats you can enjoy all month long! Here are a few tips on making these homemade chocolate-covered pretzels:

Make a big batch – You can make about 22-24 dipped pretzel rods for Christmas with 6 ounces of chocolate chips. Feel free to double or make as much as you like!

Try a different pretzel – The big pretzel rods are great for dipping in chocolate, but if you’re looking for another way to make this recipe, switch up the rods for smaller sticks or mini pretzels. A great way to use the more miniature pretzels is to toss them in the chocolate, spread out evenly on parchment paper, and sprinkle them with toppings. Then once it sets, you can break it into small pieces for a Christmas chocolate pretzel bark.

Use different chocolates – Dip the chocolate in one type and drizzle the other on top or double dip them in white and regular chocolate.

How to Store

To store, transfer dipped pretzels into an airtight container and store away from heat or direct light. Pretzels will stay fresh this way for up to 2 weeks.

You can also package it into small baggies for gifting, add it to a treat box, or store it in a zip-top bag.

FAQs

How far in advance can I make chocolate covered pretzels?

Partially coated chocolate-covered pretzels will stay fresh and crunchy when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If the pretzel is completely coated in chocolate it can last even longer.

How long does it take for chocolate covered pretzels to dry?

Air-drying chocolate-covered pretzels can take up to an hour for the chocolate to set. You can set up the chocolate more quickly by placing the tray in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before transferring them to an airtight container.

Do chocolate covered pretzel rods need to be refrigerated?

There’s no need to refrigerate pretzel rods after being dipped in chocolate. Just store them on the counter in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

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